VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - This Friday marks 19-years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and against the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia.
A special memorial event that will impact the 20th Anniversary Ceremony happened Friday at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
The '9/11 Honor Walk' involved members of the VBFD, VBPD , VA-TF2, US Navy SEALs as well as retired military.
Volunteers carried a 700 pound '9/11 Honor Log', developed by the non-profit organization, Carry On.
Getting ready for the 9/11 Honor Walk, carrying this 700 lb log to the front of the Navy SEAL Monument at the #VirginiaBeach Oceanfront. Look how heavy! It’ll be carried six miles starting at 9 in honor of #September11 1st responders. https://t.co/UPfA8eN21i @WTKR3 pic.twitter.com/TVZX9fMJcd
— Anthony Sabella (@AnthonyWTKR) September 11, 2020
The route for the 9/11 Honor Walk started on the boardwalk from the Navy SEAL Memorial on 38th St. to Second St. and then back to the Law Enforcement Memorial on 35th Street, a distance of about 6 miles. The walk will began at 9:11 a.m. and it took 6 people to carry it.
Carry On’s objective is to coordinate with Pentagon officials to have the 9/11 Honor Log transported by Virginia Task Force 2 to Washington DC. The conceptual plan is to coordinate with other agencies to have the Honor Log transported to departments in Shanksville PA and FDNY as a memorial icon for the fallen. Virginia Task Force 2 responded to the attack on the Pentagon on September 11th.
The 700 lb Honor Log has arrived. Local 1st responders, military to carry this SIX MILES down the #VirginiaBeach Boardwalk this morning to honor responders who sacrificed their own lives on #September11. https://t.co/UPfA8eN21i @WTKR3 #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/fBhsF7fecB
— Anthony Sabella (@AnthonyWTKR) September 11, 2020
According to Jeremy Soles, the Executive Director of “Carry On” an IRS registered non-profit organization, “…the men and women who responded in 2001 and in the years since, have willingly carried that burden with honor and pride. The ‘Honor Log’ is a testament to their spirit of dedication, service, and constant remembrance of the lives lost and changed forever by forces that ultimately did not defeat us, but which themselves have since been defeated.”
Scott Flansbaum is a US Marine Corps combat veteran, founder of Unbreakable and co-coordinator of the 9/11 Honor Walk. Just two years ago, officials say Scott was told he would never walk again after a medial accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. With the help of robotic legs and “the will to fight”, he is back on his feet! Scott paired up with retired Navy Seal, Dom Raso and says, “two years later we have inspired tens of thousands of people, including first responders and military with our journey.” On September 11th, their journey will lead them to Virginia Beach.
Members of VA-TF2 say the opportunity to participate in this event and bring the 9/11 Honor Log to the Pentagon is not only a fitting tribute, but offers an opportunity for closure on a mission that forever changed their lives.
